A NEW ABSOLUTE POSITION SENSOR FOR NANO-SCALE RESOLUTION SEISMOMETRY

Abstract

A new class super-broadband, nano-scale resolution position sensor is created. It may be used as a sensor in seismographs. It enables to extend the frequency band of the available technique. Combined with such a sensor traditional technique may enable to study quasi-static deformations & low-order free oscillations of Earth crust precursor to earthquakes. It allows to transfer mechanical vibrations with amplitudes over 2--3 nm, into detectable signal in a frequency range starting practically from quasi-static movements. We discuss test data of such position sensor, installed in a Russian SM-3 seismometer, as the additional pick-up component, showing its advantages compared with the traditional technique.